The Australian government's security review of TikTok and its potential diplomatic risks highlights the delicate balance between addressing privacy concerns and maintaining international relations. As countries around the world grapple with the challenges posed by social media platforms and their data collection practices, adopting a country-agnostic approach ensures that the focus remains on addressing security and privacy risks rather than targeting specific nations or companies.
Last week, it was reported that senior officials within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet had raised concerns over the potential diplomatic risks associated with the government's security review of TikTok. These officials warned that singling out TikTok could be perceived as targeting Chinese companies, which could have significant diplomatic implications. An internal departmental "messaging" document provided to the Prime Minister's office, obtained by The Australian under Freedom of Information, advised that the government adopt a country "agnostic" approach to the review.
According to the document, "This review risks being perceived as targeting Chinese companies. Government should maintain a country and vendor agnostic approach to reviewing social media application policy." This recommendation comes as the Home Affairs Minister, Claie O'Neil, initiated a security review late last year to examine data harvesting by social media platforms and the implications for national security and privacy.
The Albanese Government's Ban:
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, has enforced a sweeping ban on the Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok, following a Department of Home Affairs review that raised concerns about potential espionage risks. Effective immediately, the ban will apply to all government and department-issued devices used by politicians and public servants.
The decision comes after months of debate and scrutiny of the popular app, which has been under fire for its extensive data collection practices. Experts have warned that the information gathered by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, could be exploited by Beijing for intelligence purposes or even cyberattacks.
The company has rejected security concerns and has claimed it posed no risk to Australian users.
TikTok General Manager Australia and New Zealand Lee Hunter, the company rejected claims its platform posed a security risk.
“If confirmed, we are extremely disappointed by this decision, which, in our view, is driven by politics, not by fact,” Mr Hunter said in a statement.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil was awaiting a review on the potential for TikTok and other social media platforms to be used for foreign interference in government agencies — in the meantime, departments went their own way on deciding whether or not to ban their staff from using the app.
People affected by the ban would still be able to continue using the app on their personal devices.
The Global Crackdown on TikTok
Last Month the Biden administration gave all government agency staff 30 days to delete TikTok from federal devices and systems over data security concerns. The White House directive came after the U.S. Congress officially banned the app on all federal government devices in December.
The US, which began last year banning the app from government devices, has moved closer to issuing a national ban on TikTok, with Congress considering a Bill that would allow platforms with links to foreign governments being banned
The U.S. and Canada both issued in March banning the use of TikTok on government-issued mobile devices amid growing privacy and cybersecurity concerns about the Chinese-owned video-sharing app
On the 16th of March, the UK Cabinet announced that TikTok was banned on UK government devices as part of wider app review.The ban comes after Cabinet Office Ministers ordered a security review. This looked at the potential vulnerability of government data from social media apps on devices and risks around how sensitive information could be accessed and used by some platforms.
Given the potentially sensitive nature of information which is stored on government devices, government policy on the management of third party applications will be strengthened and a precautionary ban on TikTok on government devices is being introduced.
In recent weeks the platform has come under increasing scrutiny from regulators, particularly when it comes to protecting the privacy of its young users. The U.K.'s data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), recently issued a £12.7 million fine against TikTok for several breaches, including misusing children's data.
According to the ICO, TikTok users are required to be over the age of 13, but an estimated 1.4 million children in the U.K. were using the platform in 2020, violating its terms of service. This meant that the social network was collecting and using children's personal data without parental consent. Furthermore, the ICO found that TikTok "did not do enough" to verify the ages of its users, leading to a breach of data protection regulations.
At first glance, TikTok appears to be just another social media app, with features akin to those of Instagram and Snapchat. However, underneath its engaging exterior lies a well-oiled data harvesting machine designed to collect as much personal information as possible, including facial and voice biometrics. The extent of data collection far exceeds what the app requires or what any reasonable user might expect, raising concerns about privacy and security.
The fact that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is based in China has sparked suspicions that the Chinese government could potentially access the vast amounts of data collected by the app for intelligence purposes. The potential for this data to be used for hacking or other malicious activities has led to increasing concerns from various governments and security experts.
Weighing the Geopolitical Risks and Implications
The ban on TikTok in Australia's government devices echoes similar actions taken by the United States, UK and India, reflecting a growing trend of countries seeking to protect their national security interests by restricting Chinese-owned apps. However, this move could potentially escalate tensions between Australia and China, further straining their already fraught relationship. In recent years, Australia has seen a decline in its diplomatic ties with China, with disputes over issues such as human rights, foreign interference, and trade.
The Chinese government has not yet formally responded to the Australian ban, but past experiences suggest that retaliation is a possibility. In the past, China has imposed tariffs and trade restrictions on Australian exports such as barley, wine, and coal, leading to significant economic losses for Australian businesses. If China perceives the TikTok ban as a direct attack on its interests, it may choose to retaliate through similar trade measures, reviving political tensions throughout the Morrison Government in 2020, further harming the Australian economy.
That said, it is crucial for the Australian government to balance its national security concerns with the potential geopolitical risks and economic implications. While the decision to ban TikTok on government devices may help protect sensitive information from potential foreign interference, it is essential to engage in open dialogue with China to address any concerns and prevent further escalation.
The Albanese government should also work closely with its allies and international partners to develop a coordinated approach to address potential threats posed by foreign-owned apps. Collaborating on developing data privacy and security standards can help create a more secure digital environment, while also reducing the likelihood of trade sanctions and retaliation from countries like China.
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